America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 349 Fire the Cannon

After leaving the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, the trio of scoundrels greeted Scorsese, got into the same car, and headed to Nicholson's house.

Nicholson's mansion on the side of Sunset Boulevard has a separate storage room.

Nicholson led Martin and Leonard into the storage room, opened a fireproof box, and showed it to them: "A brand new Gatling gun, I had it custom-made in Chinatown."

Martin took one out; the new Gatling gun was much more refined than the makeshift modifications he and Bruce had made, and it was very similar to the Gatling guns he had set off in his previous life.

In addition to the Gatling gun, there are also specially made fireworks RPGs.

It can be carried on the shoulder and fired.

Leonardo glanced at the sun turning westward and said, "The goods have arrived. Shall we find a place to test them out?"

Nicholson said, "Wait until it gets dark."

"Where are you going?" Martin asked first, then added, "Aren't you afraid of getting shot to death?"

Nicholson, however, was unconcerned: "Don't worry, it's fine. I'll just say hello to my old buddies."

Martin understood; Nicholson wanted to fire on his old friends.

Leonardo went up to the top of the storage room and looked into the distance.

Nicholson's mansion is built on a hillside, in a relatively high position, and looking south, you can see rows of mansions.

Many veteran Hollywood stars choose to live on either side of Sunset Boulevard.

As darkness fell, Nicholson led Martin and Leonardo to the rooftop of the third floor of the villa.

A mini golf course was built here, but there are no fairways.

Martin understood immediately and pointed into the distance: "You're playing downhill?"

Leonardo put down the RPG fireworks and picked up a golf club: "I have a house there, I don't live there very often, but when I go over occasionally, there are golf balls in the yard. I never expected it was you who did this!"

Nicholson dismissed it: "It's just that I missed occasionally."

As the eldest brother, he carefully taught his two younger brothers: "A golf ball isn't just a golf ball; it can also be used as a communication device."

Martin looked at the nearby mansions, surprised that Nicholson hadn't been beaten to death by his neighbors.

Nicholson pointed to the two houses and said, "This is where Marlon Brando used to live, and that's where Warren Beatty and Annette Bening lived. When I want to contact them, I don't even need to call. I just play a round of golf, and if the ball lands in their yard, they'll know."

Martin exclaimed, "You're a fucking genius!"

"Marlon Brando is gone to meet his maker," Nicholson said, pointing to Warren Beatty and Annette Bening's house. "The only one who can withstand my bombardment is Warren Beatty."

He reached for an RPG firework, slung it over his shoulder, and said, "Light it for me!"

Martin doesn't smoke and doesn't have a lighter.

Leonardo took out his lighter and lit the fuse.

Martin smacked Nicholson on the head, pointed at Warren Beatty's mansion, and yelled, "You old bastard, fire your Italian cannon!"

Nicholson set his sights on that side.

thump—

A bright firework shot over the wall, landing in Warren-Betty's yard, and then exploded with a bang.

Martin, who had seen many fireworks, could tell at a glance that this was equipped with a flashbang grenade, a common sight in his previous life.

That wasn't all. Nicholson, still smoking the RPG he was carrying, shouted excitedly like a child, "Fire! Fire!"

With a loud bang, another firework exploded in Warren Beatty's yard.

Martin wondered, "Is no one home?"

Leonardo deliberately said, "I think Warren Beatty and Annette Bening went to get the guns."

Nicholson grinned from ear to ear: "Continue! Continue!"

One flash bomb after another flew over there until it completely missed its target.

Nicholson had just thrown away the RPG barrel when there was movement over there.

Martin saw a woman climb up to the top of the house and raise an electronic megaphone.

A roar like a lion rang out: "Jack, you damn bastard! You wait, Warren and I are going to smash your windows!"

Nicholson shouted, "Come here quickly, there are three men waiting for you!"

Annette Bening retorted: "I wouldn't be afraid of three more!"

After shouting, she went downstairs.

Nicholson called out, "Come on, let's go downstairs and get ready to drink."

Martin and Leonardo went downstairs together.

Not long after, Warren Beatty and Annette Bening knocked on Nicholson's door.

Annette Bening kept her word and actually smashed two windows in the Nicholson's house.

Afterwards, the five men went into Nicholson's bar and had a good time drinking.

Less than half an hour after we started drinking, some veteran white men from Hollywood arrived.

Martin and Leonardo weren't stupid; they knew Nicholson was helping them expand the network of connections among the older white men at the academy.

Warren Beatty, who currently holds a position within the Academy and recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award, leaked some information to Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio: "The organizing committee of this year's Oscars has extended invitations to Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola, and George Lucas, intending for them to present the Best Director award."

Martin, who had some memory, reacted quickly: "Scorsese is going to win an award?"

"The probability is very high." Warren Beatty raised his glass and drank with Martin.

Annette Bening added, "It seems like Al Pacino and Robert De Niro will be the presenters for Best Picture."

Leonardo DiCaprio preempted Martin Scorsese by saying, "It's a shoo-in for Best Picture."

Warren Beatty pointed at Martin: "So, you shouldn't think too much about getting a nomination. You've only been in the industry for three years and you've already gotten an acting award nomination. Look at the history of the Oscars, there are very few of those."

Martin has studied the Oscars since the turn of the century: "From a pie-sharing perspective, shouldn't other productions also get something?"

Warren Beatty nodded: "Exactly, the Oscars are essentially about dividing up the pie."

Nicholson poured drinks for everyone, saying, "Alright, enough of this nonsense, let's drink! Let's drink!"

The group then turned to gossip, using it as a conversation starter.

…………

The following morning, Martin arrived at WMA.

Thomas accompanied him to meet with the largest partner, Ali Emmanuel.

"Congratulations on your new film's huge success." Ali shook hands with Martin. "And you've even received your first Oscar nomination."

Martin said with a smile, "The company has been a great help to me."

Ali invited the two to sit down and said, "For Best Supporting Actor, the most popular choice is Alan Arkin, and he also received the most nomination votes."

Martin asked, "What about my vote share?"

Ali simply stated, "You're ranked third. You received a lot of votes, but most of them placed you in second or third place."

Martin said, "I'm satisfied with just being nominated; it's my first time."

Ali stated directly, "If you're thirty years old and have been in Hollywood for over ten years, I'm confident I can help you secure this Best Supporting Actor award."

Thomas chimed in, "Martin's PR efforts have all been halted."

Ali nodded: "The academy's rules state that no public relations work is allowed after the nomination list is announced, but most award contenders do a lot of behind-the-scenes maneuvering. However, since you have no hope of winning, there's no need to leave a bad impression on the academy."

Martin replied, "I understand." He thought of the second-in-command of the trio of scoundrels: "An actor like me, once I leave a bad impression, can easily become the next Leonardo."

Ali became more and more satisfied with Martin. After becoming famous, Martin did not become arrogant or lose his head, which is quite rare among Hollywood stars.

Even Leonardo DiCaprio went through a period of overconfidence after Titanic, with James Cameron saying he got carried away.

Ali really wanted to bring Martin under his wing, but seeing Thomas next to him, he suppressed the idea.

Thomas noticed Ali's eagerness, but he was much calmer and more composed than before.

After more than three years of collaboration, Thomas has gained some understanding of Martin's needs for an agent and knows how to do his job well.

If things go well, Martin won't easily change agents.

Even if the person trying to poach him is Ari Emmanuel, it's no exception.

Ali then brought up Martin's new film: "Limitless will gross over $100 million in North America this week. Do you have any new projects or roles?"

WMA can also include some supporting actors in successful films, which is beneficial for the growth of new clients.

Martin vaguely stated, "There are two new projects, currently in the planning stages. The scripts are estimated to be ready by the second half of the year at the earliest, and filming may not begin until next year."

He thought for a moment and then said, "I've taken a liking to Christopher Nolan's new project, and if possible, the company should push it forward."

Ali readily agreed, "No problem." He looked at Thomas and said, "The other day, Thomas and I played golf with Barry Mayer and Alan Horn."

After chatting for a while, Martin gave Thomas a wink and, under the pretext of making a phone call, left Ali's office.

After he came out, he called Louise.

"Congratulations on your Oscar nomination," Louise complained. "Where were you last night when I asked you to come over?"

Martin said, "I was drinking at Nicholson's house, and he introduced me to a lot of veteran movie stars."

Louise asked, "Why did you call me?"

"Nolan and Warner Bros. are preparing to collaborate on a Batman sequel," Martin stated directly. "Is Pacific Pictures interested in investing?"

Louise said with a smile, "Actually, Warner Bros. had already invited Pacific Films and Legendary Pictures, but the initial investment was too high, and Warner Bros. wanted to share the initial risks."

Martin asked, "How much are you planning to invest?"

Louise said, "It was no less than $1.8 million. Warner Bros. invited me because the initial investment was so high."

Martin said, "I'd like to see the script for this project. I heard that Jonathan Nolan will submit the first draft of the script to Warner Bros. and DC Comics this month."

Louise understood Martin's meaning: "I'll figure out the script. Getting a copy under the name of Pacific Films shouldn't be difficult."

Martin said a few more words and then hung up the phone.

In the office, Thomas and Ali are having a confrontation.

(End of this chapter)